Ecclesiastes 2:9

Ecclesiastes 2:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
• New International Version (NIV)I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

Context of Ecclesiastes 2:9

7I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned livestock — large herds and flocks — more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. 8I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men. So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. 10All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles. 11When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:9 word by word

וְגָדַ֣לְתִּי וְהוֹסַ֔פְתִּי מִכֹּ֛ל שֶׁהָיָ֥ה לְפָנַ֖י בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אַ֥ף חָכְמָתִ֖י עָ֥מְדָה לִּֽי׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• So I was greatגָּדַלgâdal · to magnifyH1431
• and increasedיָסַףyâsaph · to addH3254
• more than all that were beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• me in Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵםyerûshâlaim yerûshâlayim · JerusalemH3389
• also my wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• remainedעָמַד‛âmad · to stand: standH5975

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 2:9

• Ecclesiastes 1:16I said to myself, “See, I have amassed wisdom far beyond all those who were over Jerusalem before me, and my mind has thoroughly grasped wisdom and knowledge.”
• 1 Kings 3:12I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again.
• 1 Kings 10:7But I didn’t believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, I was not even told half. Your wisdom and prosperity far exceed the report I heard.
• 1 Chronicles 29:25The Lord highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been bestowed on any king over Israel before him.
• 2 Chronicles 1:1Solomon son of David strengthened his hold on his kingdom. The Lord his God was with him and highly exalted him.
• 2 Chronicles 9:22King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the world in riches and wisdom.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 2:9

• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9I became great: Compare 1 Kings 10:23. Solomon's wisdom helped him gain power and wealth (see 1 Kings 3:2–14; 4:20–34).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-113-11. Illustration more at large of Ec 2:1, 2. I sought--I resolved, after search into many plans. give myself unto wine--literally, "to draw my flesh," or "body to wine" (including all banquetings). Image from a captive drawn after a chariot in triumph (Ro 6:16, 19; 1Co 12:2); or, one "allured" (2Pe 2:18, 19). yet acquainting ... wisdom--literally, "and my heart (still) was behaving, or guiding itself," with wisdom [Gesenius]. Maurer translates: "was…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 2:9

• Epicureans
• Investigation
• Pleasure
• Solomon
• Vanity
• Wisdom
• Worldliness

In the dictionaries

• Jerusalem
• Gather
• Laughter
• Ecclesiastes, the Preacher
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings